AN: Here we are, another piece to this one.

I hope that you enjoy. If you do, please do let me know!

111

Lwaxana was able to keep working while aboard the Enterprise. Odo, too, had plenty of work to keep him busy. Though he wasn't the security aboard the ship, and he wasn't on the station to offer his services there, he had a great deal of consultation work with the Federation, thanks mostly, he was sure, to his marital ties. Still, he didn't mind. His position allowed him to stay close to Lwaxana, and that was how he preferred to spend his time.

Once upon a time, Odo had prided himself on not needing anyone. Now, though he may be able to survive without Lwaxana, he simply couldn't imagine finding life enjoyable without the happiness that she brought to his life.

Often, they worked close to one another, stepping away for privacy only when a meeting dictated such a thing was necessary. Mr. Homn helped with Veta, but the toddler spent a decent amount of his time going from the lap of one parent to the lap of the other. Odo was pretty sure that Veta, for all his personality and willingness to be part of tele-calls, was practically famous throughout most of the four quadrants.

Beyond that, the days were normal days for Lwaxana and Odo. There was little to do, regarding the monitoring of the twins, at least, beyond simply existing in the way in which they normally would. Doctor Crusher had asked that they not change the way they normally lived, so that her data would be accurate, and they were doing their best to do just what she asked.

One thing that Odo noticed, though, that was out of the ordinary from their other visits aboard the Enterprise, was that Deanna was often in their quarters or seeking Lwaxana's presence for one reason or another. She came seeking her mother's advice about something. She came to check on her mother and to make sure she was feeling well, once quoting a dizzy spell she swore she'd seen her mother have—though Lwaxana denied having had any such spell—and once quoting a feeling she'd shared with her mother, through their connection.

As Lwaxana's imzadi, Odo was telepathically connected to her, and he'd felt no such telepathic call for help or rescue, but when he'd mentioned that to Deanna, she'd seemed rather cross with him and informed him that the bond between Betazoid children and their mother went beyond that of an imzadi.

Deanna came for meals, and she came to invite Lwaxana on walks around the ship. She invited Lwaxana to a lunch—just the two of them—and she questioned Lwaxana about her work.

In short, Odo had never seen as much of Deanna as he saw once Lwaxana had assured her daughter that she believed Deanna to be fully capable of handling every aspect of her own life, especially in light of the fact that Lwaxana would soon have her hands quite a bit fuller than they already were.

Odo didn't say anything, though. He didn't mind anything that Lwaxana did, so long as Lwaxana was healthy and happy. He would never dare to come between her and Deanna, in any way, and he didn't want to ask any questions that might seem overly critical.

Instead of being critical, Odo focused all of his attention on being as supportive as he could, whatever it might be that Lwaxana needed his support for, in any given situation.

"I'm really excited about this," Crusher said.

She'd brought her things with her, and they were all gathered in the living room, where they could have some privacy from others on the ship. She'd told them that they could choose—sickbay or their quarters—to have a quick conversation, and they'd chosen the comfort of the space they called their own.

Here, Odo thought Lwaxana looked more relaxed than she'd ever looked in sickbay. She'd greeted Beverly in what she referred to as loungewear, though Lwaxana's loungewear was nearly as flamboyant as anything chosen by many women for going out on the town—it was more comfortable, though, than her normal dresses, and she was looking for comfort and relaxation since the twins had been very active throughout the past few hours.

As soon as Mr. Homn had happily taken Veta for some adventure aboard the ship, Lwaxana had talked Crusher into having a cup of tea with her—insisting that Odo never could truly have tea with her and poor Mr. Homn was tired of eating snacks with her so that she didn't' feel she was eating alone—and now they all sat around while Crusher prepared to show them some of what she'd gathered.

"I believe my hypothesis is correct," Crusher said, sliding the screen into a support that held it so that they could all see it. Beside it, she'd set up a second screen with other information that seemed to be rapidly running across the screen. "Look at them—there's the change we're looking at first. Now—that change corresponds with a time during which Lwaxana's vitals show a shift toward anxiety. Can you see?"

Odo couldn't make heads or tails of anything he was seeing except for the somewhat familiar images of their babies. He could see that Crusher was excited by what she was pointing out, though, and he could sense that it was positive. Whatever she'd found wasn't worrying her. On the contrary, it pleased her, and Odo was pleased with anything that she liked.

"Oh—look how darling they are, Beverly dear!" Lwaxana said.

Like Odo, she had very little concern for seeing the details for herself. She was content to trust Crusher.

"Here's another time when you can see their vitals change—like this. They're showing signs of stress and…there you go. They take solid form."

"They're so good at that!" Lwaxana said. "Oh—they do change rather quickly, don't they? Odo—do you think that shows some sort of…advanced skill? They are quite clever, already, aren't they?"

Odo simply smiled to see Lwaxana so smitten with the little ones. He realized, though, that Crusher was looking at him. She was consulting him.

"Well—I suppose—it does take some skill to perfectly mimic an object. I don't know how the skill differs since their Betazoid form is part of their genetics, but…"

"They're clearly empathic," Crusher said. "And their connection to Lwaxana is unquestionable. They react to every change of her mood. You can see these images—watch—when her vitals indicate that she's relaxed, they change somewhat randomly. And—look at this…you see that?"

"Oh—I remember that!" Lwaxana said. "Oh—I felt quite ill. They were changing so quickly. Do you remember that, Odo?"

Odo felt warm to see what had been happening inside Lwaxana, since he did remember the moment in question.

"I do, Beloved," he assured her. "Lwaxana was—well—she was bathing. And…well…she did call me in and I was present, but…"

Crusher laughed and Odo saw her cheeks tint slightly pink.

"It's acceptable, I think, for a husband to be present when his wife bathes," she offered. "You don't need to worry about explaining yourself to me."

Odo felt a little relief.

"Even I could feel them shifting—so quickly—and then they stopped."

"It looks like they were playing," Crusher said. "And then, it seems they got tired. We have a lot of evidence that twins interact in the womb. It appears that your twins are no different."

"Oh—of course they're not, dear," Lwaxana said. "Oh—Odo—look at them…"

"I see them," he assured her. "They're healthy?"

"They appear very healthy," Crusher said. "And, aside from some small episodes of anxiety and stress, I haven't seen anything alarming for Lwaxana, either. Although, I would naturally recommend trying to reduce stress as much as possible."

"So—we have nothing to worry about?" Odo asked.

"I do have one concern," Crusher said.

"What is it?" Lwaxana asked.

Crusher looked at Odo.

"Odo—I've read your files, and we've…talked a little. I know that you're very private, given some of your past experiences, and I hate to ask this of you…"

"If it is for the good of my wife and my children," Odo offered, meaning what he said with every fiber of his being, "then you may ask of me anything at all."

Crusher smiled at him sympathetically.

"It's very personal, I understand…"

"There is nothing too personal for the benefit of Lwaxana's health and the health of our little ones," Odo said.

Crusher nodded her understanding and acceptance of his sincerity.

"When you—change...do you lose your shape entirely?" Crusher asked.

Odo felt cold for a second. For a second, something inside him recoiled. He remembered. He remembered being an experiment. He remembered being a novelty. For many, he was still a novelty. They almost seemed to forget that he was as sentient as they were.

Doctor Crusher had never treated him like a novelty—at least, not in the same way as others had. She was genuinely anxious to learn about him, but she treated him with respect.

She would treat his children with respect, too. His children who would be, in at least some ways, like him.

She needed to understand them as much as she could, so that they might come to understand them even more.

"When I retreat to my bucket," Odo offered, "I am able to fully relax. In my natural state, I hold no distinct form."

"So—you're in a liquid form?" Crusher asked.

"It's more of a goo, really," Lwaxana offered. "Not sticky, mind you. And not exactly wet, really. The texture is really quite silky and…soft. Comfortable…and comforting." She smiled at Odo. "I'm sorry, Odo, if I overstepped my boundaries."

Odo smiled at her.

"I have never heard myself described in such a way," Odo said. "It almost sounds…pleasant."

"I find it very pleasant," Lwaxana assured him. "Warm and familiar."

"Odo—is there any way that I could…" Crusher said. She stopped, hesitating and clearly searching for a way to say what she wanted to say without being offensive.

"You wish to experience my natural state," Odo said.

"I understand it's very personal to ask," she said. "I never would, except…"

"You wish to understand the natural state of the babies, when they are most like me," Odo said.

Crusher nodded.

"It may give me some insight into what we should expect and how to handle some things in the future."

Odo extended his hand. When Crusher reached to take it, he turned her hands over so that the palms were facing up. She seemed to understand, and she cupped her hands. Odo placed his hand over hers and willed himself to relax that part of himself—reminding himself that he was safe.

He felt Lwaxana's thanks and her warmth—he felt her love.

He thought he felt, too, something from Crusher as she moved her hands and gently manipulated the part of him that she held.

There was wonder there—awe—yet Odo felt no judgment.

"Remarkable," she said. "Is this…do you ever lose more form? Do you turn into an actual liquid?"

Lwaxana leaned and touched Odo, her fingers dipping into him.

"That's the same as in his bucket," Lwaxana said. She smiled softly and shrugged. "Sometimes—at night, I sit with Odo. And, sometimes, I miss him…so I touch him while he rests."

Odo knew this, of course, but there was something quite warming about the way that she said it. Odo felt himself quiver.

"What was that?" Crusher asked, laughing quietly.

"I didn't realize you could feel it," Odo said, slightly embarrassed. "I only started it after I met Lwaxana. It sort of began naturally—unexpectedly. I believe it's what happiness feels like for my species."

"Thank you, Odo," Crusher said.

Realizing he was free to move, Odo drew back his hand and returned entirely to the shape she knew best. "I'm afraid—my only concern is the birth. You see—I'm afraid that, in that state, it may be difficult for Lwaxana's body to move the twins during the birth. Although they would eventually be born, I'm afraid it would overtire her, since Betazoid births can take so long anyway. Twin births are very rare on Betazed, so we don't have much to go on there, but we do know they can be taxing in the best of circumstances. Surgery might be a solution, but I'm also afraid of attempting it when they move so fluidly in the womb, and I would prefer that they were delivered naturally, if at all possible."

Odo felt a wave of cold fear wash over him.

"What can we do to ensure their safety?" He asked. "And Lwaxana's, of course," he added, just in case she might doubt that his concern was equal for all members of his family.

"It's possible that the twins will instinctively know to go to their solid state for birth," Crusher said. "It's possible that they'll respond to Lwaxana's reactions—she'll naturally be less relaxed during the birth. It's possible that the uncomfortable conditions of the womb during birth will make them change their shape."

"But if it doesn't?" Lwaxana asked.

"Lwaxana is probably about halfway through the pregnancy—maybe not quite that far. We have plenty of time to figure things out. Above all, I don't want anyone to worry too much. Stress isn't good for Lwaxana or the babies. I'd like you to stay a few more days, though," Crusher said. "I'd like to continue to monitor their activity. I'd like you to spend some time playing with them. See if you can find ways—empathically or with gentle physical prodding—to convince them to change their shape on command. Not too much, of course. We do want them to rest and have intervals of behaving as they're naturally inclined to behave. Just a little. I'd like to know if we're able to convince them to take the shape we'd most prefer at any given time. That will give us some indication of what we should expect for the delivery. Here—I can show you some ideas I had for how you might gently prod the twins into changing on command…"

Odo and Lwaxana paid attention to Crusher's suggestions. They agreed to try what she said, and Odo felt a little more relaxed when Lwaxana smiled and informed them that, in fact, she had felt a shift in at least one of the babies.

"We appreciate your help," Odo told Crusher, sincerely, as she packed up her things to leave them in peace for the evening. "There's a great deal that we wouldn't think of without you."

"It's what I'm here for," she offered. "And I'm going to be here, when you need me."

Odo appreciated the reassurance. Lwaxana hugged Crusher, and she saw her out. When she came back, she came to Odo with her arms open. Odo met her, allowing his shape to change enough to fully embrace her.

"Did you see how wonderful they are?" Lwaxana asked.

"I saw how wonderful all of you are," Odo offered.

"What if I can't do this?" Lwaxana asked. She pulled away from Odo to look at him. The tears puddling in her eyes pained him.

"If anyone can do this, Beloved, you can," Odo assured her. "You don't have to do it alone. You've seen how clever our little ones are. We'll teach them to do just what's necessary. You and I, Lwaxana, will teach them together."

He practically felt her grow lighter just at hearing, alone with him, where he could best comfort and reassure her, the promise that they would do this together. A tear fell, but she smiled and he believed it, raising his hand to absorb her escaped tear.

"I'll bet that even Veta can help," Lwaxana said.

Odo smiled.

"I'm certain that Veta will love to play games with his siblings," Odo said. "Come, Lwaxana, let's open the view-portal in our bedroom and watch the stars a bit before Mr. Homn gets back and Veta needs a bath."

"I might fall asleep, if we do that," Lwaxana offered with a laugh.

Odo smiled at her and wrapped his arm around her, allowing himself to change so that he could touch her as much as possible, alone and without an audience.

"Then, I will hold you while you sleep," he offered, tugging her back in the direction of their bedroom.